It's honestly worth a couple extra calls or even a little back-and-forth to make sure the job gets done right.
Man, you nailed it. I once let the insurance pick a “preferred shop” for my S-Class and ended up with a windshield that whistled louder than my kettle. Never again. Anyone ever had adjusters actually listen when you insist on OEM, or is it always an uphill battle?
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had adjusters give me the runaround about OEM parts more times than I can count. Sometimes I feel like you have to practically camp out on the phone to get anywhere. But honestly, pushing back has worked for me a couple times—especially when I mentioned safety concerns or brought up previous issues. Just takes some stubbornness and patience... and maybe a little luck.
Man, I hear you on the patience thing. Last year, my bumper got wrecked in a hit-and-run while I was parked at the train station. The adjuster tried to push aftermarket parts, but I kept bringing up how my last set didn’t fit right and rattled like crazy. Eventually, they caved, but it took weeks. Has anyone actually had luck getting OEM parts approved without a fight, or is it always this much hassle?
Honestly, I’ve never had an easy time getting OEM parts either. Last winter, my side mirror got clipped in a parking lot and the shop tried to sneak in some generic replacement that didn’t even match the paint. I pushed back, but it felt like they were just hoping I’d give up. Is it just a cost thing for them, or are they banking on most people not noticing? I always wonder if there’s some trick to making them listen the first time...
Shops definitely save money using aftermarket parts, but yeah, a lot of folks just don’t notice or don’t want to argue. If you want OEM, you’ve gotta be really clear with your insurance adjuster up front—sometimes it’s in your policy, sometimes not. Always double-check the paperwork before repairs start... learned that one the hard way myself.
